Prepping the Guest Bathroom for Guests

I’m all over the board – I have most from the month before done, some from two weeks before, even a few from the week before – but I don’t have any single section completed. So much for being organized eh?

As well as seeing if I could reduce energy bills in time for the added financial strain of guests (click to compare energy), one task I wanted to accomplish early was prepping the guest bathroom – this allowed me to take an inventory of what I had on hand and what I still needed to get to make sure any company that comes over feels welcome and (hopefully) pampered.

We don’t get a lot of overnight guests – usually just my Dad on Christmas Eve – but we do get a lot of guests that just “pop by” – delivering gifts and stopping in for a Holiday drink – so it’s important to be ahead of the game.

Our guest bathroom is actually the girls bathroom, so in preparation for GranDad’s visit we not only need to clear out some of the nail polish and hair bands, but give him a spot to keep his toiletries.

The shelf I added to the bathroom is the perfect spot. I brought out all of the little toiletries we’d stolen from hotels so that he’ll have a single-serving size of whatever he needs. A fresh bar of soap, a new toothbrush and space for his toiletry bag and his little station is set up.

The shower is stocked with shampoo and I’ll make sure all of the towels and mats are washed and fresh a few days before he arrives.

Something really important that not a lot of people mention is toilet paper. Have you gone somewhere and been down to the last square? You can’t call out when you’re in the bathroom for help, and you can’t admit that you did the ‘drip-dry’ because the host was all out of paper, so you squiggle around until you’re as drip-free as you’re going to get, then you calmly come out and say “I used the last of the toilet paper” so the next person doesn’t think you have no hygiene.

Don’t lie, you’ve been there!

I try to make sure that all of our bathrooms have a stock of TP within reach of the throne itself, so no one has to get up or search around.

Another little tip that will make your home more welcoming is a clean garbage can. Whether you wash it out or just line it with a fresh bag, it gives the impression of cleanliness and consideration for your guests. No one wants to see your used floss or Q-tips.

Hanging a fresh bathrobe on the back of the bathroom, or guest bedroom, door is a nice touch. Company can shower and wrap up comfortably instead of trying to stretch that towel around all of the important stuff. You don’t have to mark up your door either, a command strip is perfect for the job and can be taken down later if you don’t like the look.

If your guests are staying for an extended period, you could also set out a razor, bottled water and nightlight to make their stay even more comfortable.

Not having guests overnight? That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Probably the most important bathroom in your house (this time of year anyways) is your main floor powder room – this is where everyone goes and should therefore be set up to cover everyone’s needs.

Today I stocked a basket of basic essentials that the stop-by guest might need; an extra container of soap, some hand cream, feminine products and my ENJO textile cloth – for getting shrimp cocktail or spilled wine out of clothes.

You can leave this basket on the back of your toilet if you want to make it obvious to your guests, or tuck it within arm’s reach so they can grab’n go.

If you have a small (un-ugly) plunger, this would be a good time to tuck it close by as well. You never know, and the last thing you want is for your guests to feel embarrassed. Check that, the VERY LAST thing you want is to have to unclog it yourself.

In prepping the guest bathroom early I can see that I’m short on air freshener and kleenex and have plenty of time to stock up before the real traffic starts coming.

I know, prepping the bathrooms is not as exciting as building a new coffee table – trust me, I’d much rather be doing the latter, SO to make this a bit more exciting, I’m going to do a giveaway!

Leave a comment below with a special tip or trick that you do to prepare your home for guests. Anything from homemade air fresheners to setting up a coffee station – I want to know!

We’re talking full size here – not samples. These are two of my FAVOURITE ENJO products, and if I’m being honest, I was almost going to keep them for myself – but that wouldn’t really be in the spirit of the Holiday would it?

The retail value on this package is $80 Cdn – but you can have it for free!

On Saturday, December 19th at midnight I’ll draw a name from all of the comments below and announce on Sunday’s post.

(One entry per e-mail address please and I’ll ship anywhere in the world, so go for it!)

As well as having a basket of toiletries available I also stock a spare blow dryer and hair straightener for my overseas family and friends so they don’t need to worry about the different voltage and plugs.

Although I don’t always have time to do this, one of my favourite things to do before guests arrive is bake so the house is filled with that freshly baked cookie, loaf, or bread smell! During the holidays I have also made berry cider with cinnamon in the crock pot so it smells like Christmas in my house when guests come over. These tricks also work great if your home is up for sale and you are showing your home, it makes prospective buyers feel ‘at home’. :-)

Awesome tips as always ~ have so been there with both ‘last square and none to spare’! One of the things I love to do is have an essential oil room spray for anyone who wants to help add a ‘fresh scent’ after they have used the restroom ~ I also will add a few drops to the actual ‘cardboard’ part of the tube so that when they ‘turn’ the toilet paper it will release a bit of aromatherapy … I usually choose gentle aromas like lemon or grapefruit that just give that burst of ‘clean smell’ to the room!

It’s a little thing, but I like to take the time to clear all the hooks off by the front door and tidy out the front closet so our guests have a spot for their coats and shoes without having to push my family’s stuff out of the way. When a larger group visits I have a garment rack I bring out so coats don’t wind up on the steps or on the floor. I’m really enjoying reading these!

Since we have a long-haired cat AND an English Shepherd pup shedding right now, the very LAST thing I do before guests arrive is swiffer with my crocheted loopy swiffer cover. That gets up ALL the little fluff balls around. I also mix up some room/linen spray for them to use if they wish.

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned yet is a lint roller for your guests. They may LOVE your pets but NOT their hair all over their clothes! A roller that you tear off the hairy sheet and it’s replaced with a clean one is a great investment. Your guests will appreciate it!!!

All great tips above from everyone. Nail polisher remover and finger nail clippers/new nail file are also handy for guests in the guest basket. In the bedroom, I make sure the guests have an alarm clock.

I’m sorry that you weren’t the winner this time Adele, but there will be more giveaways coming soon. I know ENJO is a sponsor of my blog, but I can tell you in all sincerity, that I LOVE my ENJO products. The time they save me alone is more than worth it, but add to that the environmental, health and financial savings and it’s a no brainer. Contact Lynn (click the sidebar ad) and perhaps she can send a sample for you to try out?

Love your idea’s Shelley! I always like having a new toothbrush for my guests for when they come just in case they forgot theirs. It is also helpful for those last minute guests that didn’t plan on staying over ;-)

This may seem a little unorthodox but when my niece comes to visit from out of town I always make sure to have a wire head massager in the night table for her! It’s a childhood comfort thing that she really appreciates. I’m one of very few people who would know this and certainly the only person who prepares the guest bedroom with one for her! My niece always comments on how she feels so at home and cared for!

We are miles away from civilization out here in the red dirt territory. The guest shower area is normally equipped with liquid soap, net scrubbies, shampoo, conditioner, oversized fluffy towels and lotions. I like to have the bathroom stocked up with all the necessities of home for my guests. From the Q-tips to the hair dryer. There is always that forgotten item awaiting them here. As well as a variety of single serve snacks in a basket with some bottled water on the dresser for them.

Ok After reading this I realize that I am a totally bad host lol. So many great ideas. I will definitely have to make a basket up of extra things. I like the idea of a bathrobe. I usually just make sure they have some fresh towels and facecloth, but honestly we rarely get overnight guests but now my parents have moved out of town so they will be staying with us this Christmas.We are giving them the master bedroom so they can have the bigger bed and the ensuite…they are my parents of course so they deserve it :) I could leave them some earplugs so they aren’t woke up at the crack of dawn when my daughter gets up. :) Thanks for all the great ideas.

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